PDF edit ability

Report · Jul 04, 2024

I previously used Adobe PDF 2020 with my Fujitsu fi-7160 scanner, allowing me to scan and edit documents seamlessly. Adobe would even match the font for editing. However, since updating to Adobe Acrobat Professional DC, I can no longer edit scanned documents. I have tried using Scan & OCR and printing the PDF to PDF in Adobe, but neither method worked. Converting the file to Word results in significant data loss. How can I regain the editing capabilities I once had?

Report · Jul 12, 2024

Hi there

Hope you are doing well and thanks for reaching out.

What happens when you try to edit the scanned PDF file, do you get any error message? If yes, please share the screenshot of the same for more clarity.

What is the workflow/steps you are doing to edit the file, a small video recording of the same would be very helpful.

Is this an issue with a particular PDF file or with all the PDFs? Please try with a different PDF file and check. If the file is stored on a shared network/drive please download it to your computer locally and then try again.

What is the version of the OS and the Acrobat DC you are using? To check the version go to Help > About Acrobat and make sure you have the recent version 24.02.2089x installed. Go to Help > Check for updates and reboot the computer once.

Also try to repair the installation from the help menu (Win Only) and see if that works.

Please try to reset the Acrobat preferences as described here (https://adobe.ly/3SsfX3h)

You may also try to create a new test user profile with full admin rights in Win or enable the root account in MAC and try using the application there and check.

~Amal

Report · Aug 08, 2024

So I do not get any error messages. The file scans with no issue. The PDF comes up fully complete. I use 600 dpi and text recognition. When I try to edit the file it shows that it is a picture. In the previous Adobe I could edit the text. What exactly can I provide so you understand the issue

Report · Aug 28, 2024

Hi @Benn38425617h2ne,

I wanted to follow up on this conversation. Could you please share some sample PDF files you’ve scanned using Acrobat Pro DC and the scanner you mentioned? I want to test them to see if the issue is reproducible.

It would also be helpful if you could provide a screen recording showing what happens when you try to use OCR or edit the file. This will give us a clearer understanding of the issue.

Please share the requested information; we’ll gladly assist further.

~Tariq

Report · Dec 04, 2024

Thanks for your patience, I took a video of the issue here https://youtu.be/GHsdWAysKrQ

Report · Dec 04, 2024

Thanks for sharing the link, @Benn38425617h2ne!

Is this exactly the same issue happening at your end? If yes, could you please share the scanned document with us?

~Tariq

Report · Dec 04, 2024

I do not have this exact document anymore, but I have one done the same way. Please see attached.

Report · Apr 03, 2025

So I can not edit this one. Also, I seem to have a setting that is greyed out (see attachments and my error)

Report · Apr 04, 2025

Hi @Benn38425617h2ne,

I have the latest version of Acrobat. I tested it on my end, and it worked fine. Please check the video attached: EdittingPDFinAcrobat.mov (this video is linked to your Email ID and is set with expiration date)

You don't see the OCR option it is likely the file is already OCR'ed.

You can learn more about OCR: https://adobe.ly/4j5cDWT;

Recognize text in a single document

Open the scanned PDF.
Select All tools > Scan & OCR > In This File.
The Recognize Text options are displayed in the Secondary toolbar.
In the Secondary toolbar, select a page range and language for text recognition.
Optionally, click Settings to open the Recognize Text dialog box, and specify the options as needed.
Select Recognize Text. Acrobat creates a text layer in your PDF that can be searched — or copied and pasted into a new document.

~Tariq